Parents who have been protesting the Jefferson Parish school system's policies on admissions for siblings to advanced academies took their cause to the School Board's academic affairs committee on Tuesday, but the committee declined to endorse their request that siblings of already enrolled students who live outside their school's attendance districts receive equal standing as district residents. The committee instead recommended a plan to adjust admissions policies for 2012-13 that leaves out-of-district siblings waiting in line behind other applicants, among other changes.

The discussion reflected tensions that have been building for months between a group of academy parents and school system officials. The parents accused officials of failing to restore trust in an application process that was embroiled in controversy about a year ago over reports of errors and confusion. A board member, Sandy Denapolis-Bosarge, chairwoman of the academic committee, argued the parents are belaboring the siblings issue for their own narrow gain.

"The School Board and the central office did not follow their own policies and procedures," regarding siblings, said A.J. Pethe, a parent, accusing officials of continuing to botch admissions practices.

The board in February created a provision treating siblings as district students if a federal judge who was overseeing desegregation litigation approved. The judge passed on the issue, saying it's the board's decision. The board has not yet publicly revisited the policy. It could adopt revised procedures on Dec. 7.

Barbara Collura's child was denied admission to Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies, the school serving her neighborhood, but welcomed to Airline Park Academy for Advanced Studies in Metairie because it had more openings. She now faces the possibility of a younger child eventually attending Metairie Academy because of a lack of extra consideration letting siblings cross attendance lines.

"This is not about convenience," Collura said. "This is about my child being in the best

Jefferson Parish School Board member Sandy Denapolis-Bosarge

place for her, and that is with her brother."

Donald Martin pleaded with the board members to spare his family from the prospect of spending an hour each day in carpool lanes at two schools, if each of his children can qualify academically for the accelerated schools. He has two children at Metairie Academy, which was created before Airline, the school that now serves his neighborhood. His younger two children might be required to attend Airline when they reach school age.

"They were made to teach the most qualified academic kids regardless of where they live," Martin said about the academies.

The emotions surrounding the issue led to parents in the audience trading jabs with board members on Tuesday.

"We have a group of parents that are taking a lot of time away from the other 40,000 students in the school system," Denapolis-Bosarge said. "You will not rest until you get what you want."

Parents jeered and board attorney Michael Fanning interrupted the exchange, advising Denapolis-Bosarge against allowing audience members to speak without being officially recognized. "I do not suggest we engage in a bitter battle with each other," Fanning said.

Board members asked Fanning whether the summer settlement of the Dandridge desegregation case, the litigation that guided the school system in creating additional academies with distinct attendance zones, prevents the board from making allowances for siblings. After a recess to research the issue, Fanning said the Dandridge settlement leaves the board free to make changes to the policy.

Committee members declined to amend the proposed admissions rules, however, and the committee recommended the policy as it was proposed by administrators, with out-of-district siblings receiving lesser weight.

The proposed policy allows siblings to transfer out of their attendance zones after students transferring into their district schools but before new applicants, a provision that Richard Carpenter, deputy superintendent for instruction, described as a "mild concession" to the parents. Parents argued the improved transfer order for siblings offers little help with initial admissions, forcing students to enroll in one school and attempt to transfer later.